Annapurna International School ofFilm + Media (AISFM) and Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) today signed an MoU to offer new four-year undergraduate and two-year postgraduate degreeswith specializations in media.

The details of the MoU were unveiled by Dr. P Padmavathi, In-Charge Vice Chancellor, JNAFAU and Nagarjuna Akkineni, President, AISFM.

"The Indian media industry is growing at double the speed of the overall economy. Every sector of the media industry will need to recruit many additional trained professionals in order to expand and to explore new opportunities. We have designed these courses with significant industry consultation to ensure that the students meet employers' needs." Nagarjuna Akkineni, President of AISFM said. He added: "We understand that talent lies in all areas of our country, so we are launching scholarships of up to 75% of the course fees, to support students from financially-weaker backgrounds."

In-charge Vice Chancellor of JNAFAU Dr. P Padmavathisaid: "This academic collaboration is an exciting step in creating the future of media education in India. The industry is changing quickly and students now need a combination of creative, technical and professional skills in order to build their careers. JNAFAU and AISFM can provide these skills."

Geetika Tondon, VP - Academics of AISFM, said: "We have been developing the curriculum for this course over the last two years, combining input from leading international media and film schools with input from the Indian media industry."

Admissions are now open and the courses begin in July 2013. All classes will be conducted inside Annapurna Studios - a 22-acre campus featuring production facilities, studios, post production, outdoor shooting locations and classrooms. Hostel facilities are available for non-resident students. For admission details, students can contact 04049141234

Annapurna International School of Film + Media is one of the finest media and film institutes in India, and strives to be one of the finest in the world. The school features the biggest names in cinema and media as teachers and academic advisors, and provides students with a highly interactive, hands-on and global approach to education. Located in the heart of India, in Hyderabad, AISFM is the first school in India to offer Bachelors and Masters in filmmaking and media, and the first major media school in the world to be integrated into a major film studio. www.aisfm.edu.in

About JNAFAU

Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, one of the foremost institutions of Art in India, has the unique distinction of completing sixty-nine years of useful and yeoman academic service in the field of education in general and fine arts and architecture in particular. Established in the erstwhile Nizam State in the year 1940, the College of Fine Arts has gradually grown in stature as the Govt. College of Arts and Architecture under the management of the Department of Technical Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad.